Junk Silver Buyers: Sell Your 90%, 40% and 35% Silver Coins in Any Quantity
Junk silver is the trade name for circulated U.S. silver coins that are valued mainly for their silver content: dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier, 40% silver Kennedy half dollars from 1965 to 1970, and 35% silver war nickels from 1942 to 1945. If you have a few of these coins in a drawer, a coffee can full, or several bags, you need a junk silver buyer who will price them fairly and pay you promptly.
American Rarities has bought U.S. coins since 1990. In more than 30 years we have purchased over $400 million in coins, currency and precious metals, and we buy junk silver in any quantity, from a single roll to many bags. Every lot is checked for better dates before we make an offer, and payment is immediate by company check, wire or ACH.
Who Buys Junk Silver?
Junk silver is bought by coin dealers, bullion dealers, pawn shops, jewelry and gold-buying shops, refiners and private collectors. They do not all pay the same. A seller who has to resell your coins to someone else usually pays less, and a shop that only weighs silver may miss the better coins mixed into an ordinary lot. Before you sell, look for:
- A verifiable reputation. American Rarities is rated A+ with the Better Business Bureau and 4.7 on Google from 86 reviews.
- Professional credentials. We are Life Members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer, and an ANACS submission center.
- A clear, written offer. A good buyer explains how the offer relates to the silver spot price and the amount of silver in your coins, with no hidden fees.
- Coin knowledge, not just a scale. Some coins in a junk silver lot are worth more than their silver. An experienced numismatist will find them and pay for them.
What Our Junk Silver Buyers Purchase
- 90% silver dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier: Barber, Mercury and Roosevelt dimes; Barber, Standing Liberty and Washington quarters; Barber, Walking Liberty, Franklin and 1964 Kennedy half dollars.
- 40% silver Kennedy half dollars dated 1965 through 1970, and 40% silver Eisenhower dollars struck for collectors from 1971 to 1976.
- 35% silver Jefferson war nickels dated 1942 through 1945, identified by the large mint mark above Monticello.
- Silver dollars and silver bullion, including bars and rounds. See our silver dollar buyer and sell silver and gold bullion pages.
There is no minimum. We buy loose coins, rolls, partial bags and full bags, sorted or unsorted. If you are selling a full or partial bag, our junk silver bag page explains how bags are counted, and our guide to the best price for junk silver bags covers how bag prices are quoted.
How Junk Silver Buyers Figure Your Offer
Every junk silver offer starts with two numbers: how much pure silver your coins contain and the current silver spot price.
- 90% silver: face value × 0.715 troy ounce per $1 face value (the trade standard for circulated coins).
- 40% Kennedy halves: number of coins × 0.1479 oz.
- 35% war nickels: number of coins × 0.0563 oz.
Example: a coffee can holding $50 face value of mixed 90% silver dimes and quarters (about 35.75 oz), twenty 1967 Kennedy halves (about 2.96 oz) and forty war nickels (about 2.25 oz) contains roughly 40.96 troy ounces of silver. At the October 24, 2026 example price of $54.05 per ounce, that silver was worth about $2,214.
Spot prices move all day, so check the live Kitco silver chart and the metal content of each coin in the NGC coin melt values guide or our coin melt value table. Junk silver can trade above or below melt value depending on demand, and our written offer reflects both the silver and the market. For more on 90% silver itself, see Buying and Selling 90% Silver Coins.
Check for Key Dates and Better Coins Before You Sell
“Junk” describes how most of these coins are traded, not what every coin is worth. Lots that have sat in a family for decades often hold older or scarcer pieces, such as:
- Barber dimes, quarters and half dollars (1892–1916), especially better dates and mint marks
- Standing Liberty quarters (1916–1930) and early Walking Liberty half dollars
- Key dates such as the 1916-D Mercury dime and the 1932-D and 1932-S Washington quarters
- Proof coins, mint errors and coins in unusually nice condition
Do not clean your coins and do not throw out anything you are unsure about. Send us the whole lot. We check every coin, offer free in-house grading and XRF testing, and pay the collector premium where it applies. You can read more in What to Avoid When Selling Your 90% Silver Coins.
How to Sell Your Junk Silver to American Rarities
- Tell us what you have. Email staff@americanrarities.com, text 720-600-4740 or use the form below. A list or a few photos is enough, even for an unsorted lot.
- Get a free written offer. There is no cost and no obligation.
- Choose how to sell. We offer nationwide home visits for larger holdings. Or mail your coins: mail-in shipments are fully covered, with no deductible, and we offer free or discounted shipping on selected collections. You can also meet one of our buyers in person by appointment.
- Get paid immediately by company check, wire or ACH once your coins are verified.
New to selling? Read A Seller’s Guide to Choosing a Reputable Silver Coin Buyer or start on our sell 90% silver coins page.
Why Sell Your Junk Silver to American Rarities
- Buying coins since 1990, with more than 30 years of experience and over $400 million in coins, currency and precious metals purchased
- A+ BBB rating and 4.7 on Google from 86 reviews
- ANA Life Members, PCGS and NGC authorized dealer, and ANACS submission center
- Every coin checked for key dates; free in-house grading and XRF testing
- Junk silver bought in any quantity, from a few coins to many bags
- Immediate payment by company check, wire or ACH
Related pages: Buying & Selling 90% Silver Coins · Junk Silver Bag · Junk Silver Bags: Best Price · Silver Dollar Buyer · Sell Silver & Gold Bullion · Coin Melt Values
Junk Silver Buyers: Quick Answers
Should I sort or clean my junk silver before selling?
Do not clean them, because cleaning can lower a coin’s value. You do not need to sort them either. We check every coin for key dates and better coins before making an offer.
Is there a minimum amount of junk silver you will buy?
No. We buy junk silver in any amount, from a handful of coins to many full bags.
Do you buy 40% silver Kennedy halves and silver war nickels?
Yes. We buy 1965 to 1970 Kennedy halves, 40% silver Eisenhower dollars and 1942 to 1945 war nickels, along with all 90% silver coins.
Free Appraisal and Offer for Your Junk Silver Coins
Email, Text, or Use This Form To Send Us Your Inventory List or Pictures
Email: staff@americanrarities.com | Text: 720-600-4740
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